Roman Empire, Trajan, Denarius
98-117 - Rome - Extremely rare - Silver - EF(40-45)
PLEASE NOTE: this collector's item is unique. We therefore cannot guarantee its availability over time and recommend that you do not delay too long in completing your purchase if you are interested.
Head of Libertas, right, wearing earrings, hair tied back in a bun.
L. Junius Brutus walking left, flanked by two lictors and preceded by an accensus (herald).
An extremely rare specimen of a restitution denarius struck during the reign of Trajan. This coin reproduces a type struck by Marcus Junius Brutus in 52 B.C. (Crawford 433/1). The design is exactly the same, but Trajan’s imperial title is added to the reverse of this coin type. This revival of an earlier coin type reflects Trajan’s desire to use history as a vehicle for his ideology. The restitution issues were thus intended to highlight his military and civil virtues. Here, by reviving a coin type specific to Marcus Junius Brutus, the liberator of the Republic, Trajan presents himself as the liberator of Rome from the tyranny of Domitian. Our specimen shares the same obverse die as the specimens in the Münzkabinett in Berlin and the British Museum. The only specimen to appear at auction in the last twenty years was sold by Numismatica Ars Classica on May 16, 2007, Auction 40, lot 703.
LIBERTAS
IMP CAES TRAIAN AVG GER DAC P P REST BRVTVS
3.13 gr
Silver
Silver can fall into your pocket but also falls between copper and gold in group 11 of the periodic table. Three metals frequently used to mint coins. There are two good reasons for using silver: it is a precious metal and oxidizes little upon contact with air. Two advantages not to be taken for granted.
Here is thus a metal that won’t vanish into thin air.
It’s chemical symbol Ag is derived from the Latin word for silver (argentum), compare Ancient Greek ἄργυρος (árgyros). Silver has a white, shiny appearance and, to add a little bit of esotericism or polytheism to the mix, is traditionally dedicated to the Moon or the goddess Artemis (Diana to the Romans).
As a precious metal, just like gold, silver is used to mint coins with an intrinsic value, meaning their value is constituted by the material of which they are made. It should be noted that small quantities of other metals are frequently added to silver to make it harder, as it is naturally very malleable (you can’t have everything) and thus wears away rapidly.
The first silver coins probably date back to the end of the 7th century BC and were struck on the Greek island of Aegina. These little beauties can be recognized by the turtle featured on the reverse.
The patina of silver ranges from gray to black.
The millesimal fineness (or alloy) of a coin indicates the exact proportion (in parts per thousand) of silver included in the composition. We thus speak, for example, of 999‰ silver or 999 parts of silver per 1 part of other metals. This measure is important for investment coins such as bullion. In France, it was expressed in carats until 1995.
An “EF(40-45)” quality
As in numismatics it is important that the state of conservation of an item be carefully evaluated before it is offered to a discerning collector with a keen eye.
This initially obscure acronym comprising two words describing the state of conservation is explained clearly here:
Extremely Fine
This means – more prosaically – that the coin has circulated well from hand to hand and pocket to pocket but the impact on its wear remains limited: the coins retains much of its mint luster, sharp detailing and little sign of being circulated. Closer examination with the naked eye reveals minor scratches or nicks.
